Dr. Alexander Mela

Dr. Alexander Mela is an instructor in MGI. Here are his answers to the Micro Biography questions:

How and when did you become interested in the field(s) of microbiology, genetics, and/or immunology?

I took a mycology course with Dr. David M. Geiser at Penn State University during my undergraduate studies, and I fell in love with microbiology.  That was a very formative course for me to want to pursue future studies in the field.  It showed me that there is a whole world of microbes that impact our everyday life, many of which are understudied, and that microbiology contains millions of organisms that are yet to be discovered.  Learning about microbiology and genetics was reassuring to know there still is a “final frontier” of biology, with a plethora of information still to be uncovered. 

Were there any particular people or events who were influential in your journey?

Dr. Michelle Momany was a very influential person in my scientific journey.  She was my PhD advisor and mentor for 5 years at the University of Georgia. Dr. Momany helped me in more ways than I can count, in keeping a good mental state during my doctoral program, thinking outside the box with my research, and appreciating microbiology as a discipline.  I will say the same for my postdoc advisor Dr. Louise Glass, as my postdoctoral studies at UC Berkeley would not have been the same without an amazing mentor like her to help in all aspects of research.  Finally, Dr. Joseph Spraker was one of the best supervisors I have had; he showed genuine enthusiasm for mycology and was the best example of how to “wear two hats” with regard to being a good mentor and friend simultaneously. 

How did you come to be a part of this department?

I was working as a scientist in a biotechnology company in the California Bay Area, and I realized after working in fast-paced research environments for over a decade, I was gaining interest in making a transition.  I really enjoyed teaching molecular biology for majors during my doctoral program, so I thought this would be a rewarding pivot to my scientific career. I saw that there was an opening for an instructor position in MGI to teach Introductory Microbiology Lab MMG302, and I was fortunate enough to land the position. 

What is your main role / research area right now and why is it important?

Currently, my main role is an instructor of MMG302 labs. My role is important to prepare the upcoming MSU STEM students in the necessary laboratory skills and practices in microbiology to bolster their future scientific careers. 

How do you see your role / research evolving?

The course has been constantly changing for years, and Dr. Viswanathan has obviously done an amazing job to streamline MMG302 into its current state.  I could imagine my role might involve making some adjustments to the curriculum in upcoming semesters to make the student’s experience even more comprehensive. 

What types of activities are you involved in outside of work / research?

Outside of work I enjoy watercolor and oil painting, fermenting wines and sodas, growing mushrooms and plants, and most of all, spending time with my partner and dog. 

 Is there anything else you’d like to share? 

I checked off a bucket-list item of writing, illustrating, and self-publishing a short children’s book, called “The Not-So-Lonely Tree”; it is supposed to be a child’s first introduction to fungal biology topics.